Actually as a workaround, I managed to reach things (Groups, Tabs, ..etc) using the Index instead of having a direct reference to it.

For now it is working, although I believe it is not the optimum solution, since we work a lot on having reference to many things and nothing is wrong, except when we have reference to groups on your component and make the LoadState with restoring the controls... If RestoreControls is false, the same reference will work fine.

It will be better solving this, since if we go to a scenario where everything can be updated dynamically at runtime by users (hence the tabs, groups index may be changed) then it will not be a correct solution.

Thanks.

Ahmad

When we use LoadStateFromString in CommandBars with enabling the Restore Controls (so we can get the last state and last selected tab ...etc), we will not be able to add any new button in run-time!!

Find the following sample (modified from CJ sample: uploads/6726/RibbonSampleLOADSTATECASE.zip) where you cannot add any button in a ribbon tab group in run time when we enable the Restore Controls (When add a new button under the Review tab when you press the Command Button 1), but if you set this to False, you will be able to add buttons normally, but for sure you will not be able to get the last saved state before closing the application...

Notes:

1) To run the sample, please put the DLL inside the ZIP file (VertexTrading10.4.0) in system32 (or syswow64) and register it (we use this DLL for quick file processing).

2) We save the state when query unload.

3) We load after finishing adding everything in the _Load even of the main form.

If you need any clarifications to replicate the case, please let me know. And update me if we can solve this from our side. Or if it needs update or something.

Thanks.

Ahmad